Recent News

Nine East Central University students were awarded funding under the NASA National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program for the 2016-2017 academic year.

Awards are in the form of $2,000 research stipends for the academic year. Undergraduate research gives students the necessary academic and life skills needed for graduate school, research positions or public and private sector STEM employment.

Ron Wallace, a three-time winner of the Best Poetry Book by the Oklahoma Writers Federation, will speak during East Central University’s September Poetry Series on Tuesday, Sept. 20, at 6:30 p.m. in East Central University’s Estep Auditorium of the Bill S. Cole University Center.

Wallace has been a three-time finalist for the Oklahoma Book Award and has authored seven books: Of Hawks & Horses, Hanging the Curveball, Native Son, Cowboys and Cantos, Oklahoma Cantos, Smoke and Stone and I Come from Cowboys….and Indians.

Surrounded by bands, cheerleaders, pom squads and supporters, East Central University officially opened the new Chickasaw Plaza Friday with a ribbon cutting and fanfare termed “A House United” at Koi Ishto Stadium.

Representatives from ECU, Ada High School and the Chickasaw Nation, including Gov. Bill Anoatubby, were on hand for the christening of the plaza.

“It’s great to see how we unite behind a common cause,” said Gov. Anoatubby. “ECU needed this facility. Koi Ishto (Stadium) is important for a lot of reasons. Countless people learned diligence and teamwork here.”

Entries are being accepted for the 2016 East Central University Homecoming Golf Tournament, hosted by the ECU Alumni Association and sponsored by the Chickasaw Nation, is set for Friday, Sept. 23, at 1 p.m. at the Oak Hills Golf and Country Club in Ada.

The format for the tournament is a four-person scramble and the cost is $125 per person, which includes a free burger lunch prior to the event at 11:30 a.m. Those who are not playing but want to eat may do so for $10 apiece. A gift bag will also be presented to each golfer.

Entries are being accepted for East Central University’s 2016 Homecoming Parade which is set for Saturday, Sept. 24, at 2 p.m. in Ada. Categories include: float (competitive), float (non-competitive), decorated car or truck, marching band and walkers. The entry deadline is Wednesday, Sept. 14, at 5 p.m. For more information contact Tenecia Miller, director of student organizations and Greek life, at 580-559-5207 or tenamil@ecok.edu.

A day of prevention and recovery will be the focus as “Step Out of the Darkness” will take place from 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17, beginning at the Pontotoc County Courthouse Plaza in Ada and concluding at East Central University.

The event, free and open to the public, is being sponsored by the Brandon Whitten Institute for Addiction and Recovery at ECU and the Pontotoc County Drug Free Coalition.

“Compassion Fatigue and Mobilizing the Public to Fight Slavery” will be the topic of discussion as Dr. Matthew Mason delivers East Central University’s Rothbaum Lecture on Monday, Sept. 19, at 6:30 p.m. in the Estep Multimedia Center inside the Bill S. Cole University Center.

The lecture, free and open to the public, is being conducted on Constitution Day, the celebration of the ratification of the U.S. Constitution.

John R. Hargrave, who has served East Central University as president since 2009, has announced his retirement, effective in the spring of 2017.

Connie Reilly, regent for the Regional University System of Oklahoma (RUSO), was surprised by Hargrave’s decision and admitted, at first, she tried to talk him out of retirement.

“He has done a wonderful job for ECU. He brought a passion and excitement to ECU that was much needed,” Reilly said. “He is a wonderful fundraiser and is always adamant about bringing alumni back to campus and generating more pride in the university.”

East Central University's mission is to foster a learning environment in which students, faculty, staff, and community
interact to educate students for life in a rapidly changing and culturally diverse society. Within its service area,
East Central University provides leadership for economic development and cultural enhancement.